"APY's been asking for information about welfare reform for the past couple of years and it tends to fall on deaf ears so we're actually interested to see where the state, what level of support they're prepared to put into this," he said.

SA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jay Weatherill says he is keen to see the details of the proposal.

"That's a big step to take and it's something you wouldn't impose lightly but Aboriginal leadership are coming to us with those proposals and we're prepared to look at them because it is Aboriginal people taking responsibility for the wellbeing of their communities," he said.